Carlsbad senior services report: program growth, transportation demand rises; meal contract to transition April 1

Carlsbad Parks & Recreation staff told the Senior Commission on Feb. 27 that senior programming enrollment and service demand have been steady or growing, transportation usage has risen sharply, and the city will transition its meal service contract effective April 1 to Meals on Wheels North County.

Recreation area manager Eric Bagan and recreation supervisor Andy Koehler presented the department’s 2025 senior-services report, which reviewed general programming, fundraising, and nutrition statistics. Staff reported a special revenue fund balance of $320,665.64, donations totaling $20, and miscellaneous revenue of $7,157.60 (fitness center fees and memberships). Expenditures in the reporting period were about $4,800, covering four courtyard concerts and a deposit for a June 2025 volunteer appreciation event.

On nutrition and meals, staff said the two meal programs (congregate and home-delivered) have been steady with a daily average of about 60 meals per program. Monthly totals vary; staff reported serving between 10 and 1,100 meals per month across both programs depending on days open. The contract for the current subcontracted meal provider is ending; staff issued a request for bids, received five responses, and reported that City Council approved a switch to Meals on Wheels North County. Staff said the provider transition is planned to take effect April 1.

Transportation demand has increased substantially, staff said: the program averages “in the 300s” for rides and recorded about 380 rides in January. The transportation service is tied to the nutrition program, is partially county-funded, and is provided free of charge to eligible Carlsbad residents (requests for voluntary contributions are accepted). Eligibility requires age 60 or older; home-delivered meals and transportation also require Carlsbad residency. Staff described a regular route that picks up roughly 10 people per day for lunch service and schedules later return trips for seniors attending special programs.

Staff highlighted popular programs and partnerships that connect seniors with the community: AARP tax-aide service (about 100 weekly appointments), weekly bingo with roughly 80 attendees, monthly courtyard concerts (recent performers included Daniel New Heizer, Don Jones, Dean Ratsman and Cora), intergenerational events with Jefferson fourth graders, excursions to Solana Beach Design District and the Gemological Institute of America, a qigong workshop that registered about 60 people, and a newly launched senior social club (staff received about 60 surveys indicating interest). Staff said holiday lunches drew about 100 guests each for Thanksgiving and Christmas and that some performances had roughly 350 total attendees across shows; the dining room capacity is about 100–120 people.

Staff also announced that Ashley Benson was promoted to Recreation Services Manager following a nationwide recruitment; Benson will assume facilitation duties for the Senior Commission and oversee recreation division programs, including senior services and aquatics.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how transportation trips are counted (staff confirmed counts are single one-way trips), eligibility, and program sign-up. Staff said they will continue to monitor demand and reported they are exploring options to expand service capacity.

The commission will receive this departmental report as part of regular business; no commission action was required for the items reported.